Robert Mugabe expected to attend Pope Francis's inauguration mass

Robert Mugabe, who has said he is a devout Catholic and attended Pope John Paul II's funeral

He came to John Paul II's funeral – where he shook hands with Prince Charles – and he was also at the late pontiff's beatification ceremony. So it should come as no surprise that Robert Mugabe, the president of Zimbabwe accused of human rights abuses, is expected at the inauguration mass for Pope Francis on Tuesday.

The Italian news agency, Ansa, reported that Mugabe, 89, who has declared himself to be a Catholic, would arrive today at Rome's Fiumicino airport. A presidential source in Zimbabwe confirmed that the 89-year-old would be attending the mass.

Mugabe is subject to an EU travel ban, but it does not apply to the Vatican and Italy has a longstanding agreement with the papal state – which has no airport – to allow its visitors to cross Italian territory.

Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said he had "no idea" if Mugabe would be coming to the mass or not. He said the Holy See had not made specific invitations for the event, which will be held in St Peter's Square. If people wanted to come, he said, they could come.

Mugabe's presence could spark fireworks among the delegation of Anglican church leaders, which is headed by the archbishop of York, John Sentamu. The Ugandan-born cleric has repeatedly called for the Zimbabwean leader to be ousted and once cut up his dog collar on live television in protest at his oppressive rule.